TOO MUCH MONKEY BUSINESS: The Elvis Forum

The original version of Hound dog was recorded by Willie Mea "Big Mama" Thornton on 13-08-52 for the Peacock label.

Johnny Otis was present as drummer and producer; he was credited besides Jerry Leiber & Mike Stoller (see wrong name on the label) for the song; by law suit his name was errased.

Elvis' version was inspired by Freddy Bell & the Bellboys (a 1955 recording)


colonel snow

Around april 1953 6 versions of Hound dog were released (including Big Mama Thornton version);
all versions are simular to that original.

recorded by:
00-02-53 - Jack Turner & his Granger County Gang (RCA 20-5267);
00-03-53 - Billy Starr (Imperial 8186);
00-03-53 - Eddie Hazelwood (Intro 6069);
00-03-53 - Betsy Gay (Intro 6070);
16-03-53 - Tommy Duncan (Intro 6071);
00-04-53 - Cleve Jackson (Herald 6000);

for all the recordings Johnny Otis was mentioned as co-writer on the labels.


colonel snow

here is the clip with the original version.


colonel snow

Very interesting Colonel,heres a UK HMV by Elvis.

great idea to list and show all Hound Dog versions before
Elvis recorded the ultimate version in july of '56!
Some say they get tired of hearing this song... Im not one
of them. Elvis his version is a piece of rock n roll art.
Good art never declines in value.

Any other ideas, Henk, to do a follow up ?!
I like your idea for this topic a lot!

Fascinating stuff, Colonel !

I'd love to hear the versions following Willie Mae's to see if any were more like the Freddie & the Bellboys/Elvis one !

Or were the Bellboys the first ones to change the arrangement & the lyrics & rock things up ?

I've also heard that Freddie rerecorded it in 1957, so it would be interesting to know if that second version was influenced by the Elvis one !

Soon to be continued with other songs; it keeps this section alive.

colonel snow

Thanks for these Colonel Snow. Funny enough I was thinking of introducing a section devoted to original versions covered by Elvis where members could contribute. The posts wouldn't then get lost amongst the others. I might still do that and move these over if you don't mind. We just need a name for that section.

Name for that section?

FIRST IN LINE
The original versions

???

A good idea to make a new section.

colonel snow

Yeah, I like it. Any others from anyone?

Perhaps it is possible to move the published versions to the new section.

colonel snow

I can,t think of a better one.

here is the version by Jack Turner; the other versions can be found on Youtube.


colonel snow

Yes, that's what I said I'd do. Just have to get the new section set up, I can't do it.

"It keeps this section alive"... I think that's a bit early to say, modest Dutchman.
It's interesting, no doubt. But I would not be overal excited to see 10, 20, or more
original versions on page 1 within the next few weeks. Therefore the sooner the better
when these items get their own section. From there on we can see how many people are
jumping with joy?! I hope many. But Elvis fans are not the most active people in the world.

On 22-03-53 Charlie Gore & Louis Innis recorded an answering song (You ain't nothing but a female) Hound dog on King 1212.

Here is the clip.


colonel snow

Listen carefully to Elvis in the stand up show of the 68 Special and he reverts to the original recording lyrics for one line and sings "A snoopin' at my door" when he's on his knees!